Tube sheets & drilled plates
The plate in which the boiler tubes end – drilled to your hole pattern, with manholes, grooves and connections. We supply tube sheets for expanding or welding, tested and fully documented.
What is a tube sheet?
A tube sheet is the plate in which the tubes of a boiler or heat exchanger terminate. The tubes are expanded or welded into the drilled holes. The hole pattern – number, diameter and pitch of the holes – follows from the design and is produced exactly to drawing.
Scope of supply & execution
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Basis of manufacture | Drawing with hole pattern, pitch, hole diameter and tolerances |
| Dimensions | Diameter to 3000 mm, thickness to 250 mm |
| Hole pattern | number, diameter and pitch as specified, staggered or in line |
| Tube attachment | for expanding with groove or for welding, as designed |
| Cut-outs | manholes, sight holes, nozzle openings to drawing |
| Materials | P265GH, P355GH, 16Mo3, 13CrMo4-5, 10CrMo9-10, stainless, heat-resisting |
| Edge preparation | weld preparation to EN ISO 9692 on request |
| Testing | dimensional and visual inspection, ultrasonic testing of the plate for laminations |
| Documentation | 3.1 or 3.2 certificate to EN 10204, dimensional report |
Materials we supply for this
The grade follows from medium, temperature and pressure. Each grade has a data sheet with composition, properties and standards.
Typical fields of use
- Tube sheets in shell boilers, for example three-pass boilers
- Heat exchangers and tube bundle apparatus
- Economisers and air preheaters
- Heat recovery boilers behind gas turbines and engines
- Replacement sheets for outages and damage cases
- Test and sample plates for welding procedure qualification
The records you receive
Inspection certificate 3.1 or 3.2 to EN 10204
Batch-related test results for every pressure-bearing item, countersigned on request.
Non-destructive testing
Visual, penetrant, magnetic particle, ultrasonic or radiographic testing of the welds as specified.
Pressure test
Hydrostatic test to the applicable code and drawing, with test report.
Traceability
Batch and heat number of every item remain traceable through the documentation.
From drawing to delivery
1. Drawing or sketch
Send us the drawing, isometric or bill of material – a hand sketch with dimensions is enough to start.
2. Agree material and code
We settle grade, standard, pressure rating and the required certificate with you.
3. Quotation
You receive a quotation with price, execution and a firm delivery date.
4. Delivery with documentation
The component arrives ready to install, with certificates and test reports.
Tube sheets & drilled plates – frequently asked questions
Expanding or welding – which is better?
It depends on pressure, temperature and medium. Expanded tubes are easier to replace and usual at moderate pressures. Welded joints take higher pressures and temperatures and are tighter, but replacement is more work. A combination is common: expanded and additionally seal welded.
What tolerances are usual for the hole pattern?
Your drawing governs. Tight tolerances for pitch and hole diameter are usual, otherwise the expanded joint will not seal or the tubes cannot be threaded in. Production follows your specification; we supply the dimensional report.
Up to what plate thickness do you supply?
To about 250 mm thickness and 3000 mm diameter. Larger sizes we clarify case by case – tell us diameter, thickness and number of holes.
Is the plate checked for laminations?
For pressure-bearing sheets, ultrasonic testing of the base material is usual to rule out laminations in the plate. The scope follows the applicable code and your specification.
What do you need for a quotation?
The drawing with hole pattern, plate diameter and thickness, material grade, number and diameter of holes, the type of tube attachment and the required certificate to EN 10204.
Tube sheets & drilled plates – request a quote
Drawing, material and quantity are enough – we come back with price and lead time.